Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Knowing exactly who I meant, Hunter growled. “She said you let her go—”
“I did no such thing. That would only ruin my plans.”
Hunter huffed and shook her head. “Then you lied to her,” she accused.
I studied Hunter before I coldly replied, “And now she knows how it feels.”
She laughed right in my face, and all I could think was that if all I had was that sound and Coby’s smile for the rest of my life, I would never want for another fucking thing. “If that’s true, then I can promise you’re not getting any sleep tonight unless you can do it with one eye open.”
I’d feared as much.
These women were going to ruin me.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had to work this hard to win. The game had started long before Coby or Hunter even knew, the board meticulously set, but within a few weeks, I was already questioning if I’d made a grave miscalculation.
My plan for choosing a bride had been simple: take one with everything to lose or one with nothing.
In a bizarre twist of fate, Coby Perry had been both.
Extorting her hand in marriage wasn’t my first choice. It was insurance. I couldn’t have her backing out later once I won her over. In the meantime, I’d make her fall so hard for me—make it feel so real—that she forgot about how we came to be. Until nothing else mattered.
But I hadn’t counted on Hunter.
Their bond.
Their…affection…for one another.
But I could offer Coby more than just my heat. I could give her status, wealth, and protection. All things she was sorely lacking.
My thoughts were interrupted by an explosion of pain when the girl trapped in my hold drove her foot into my shin.
Almost as if Hunter had read my mind and sought to prove me wrong.
Her message was clear.
Coby had a champion. Someone willing to wage war against the Fola—against me—for her.
It was admirable but foolish. Hunter would eventually lose, and Coby would still belong to me.
As amused and impressed as I was by Hunter Parrish, I didn’t like loose ends. I’d been prepared to leave her be—if only to keep my new bride happily chained to me—but she’d forced my hand by coming after me.
“Why didn’t you take the money?” I asked. The answer to that question had been plaguing me ever since Kellan told me she turned it down.
Hunter stopped fighting me as if I’d surprised her. “What?”
“The money Kellan offered you. Why didn’t you take it?”
“Because there’s no amount you could offer to make me give up my best friend.”
“It was two million,” I stated flatly.
Hunter let out a laugh that sounded both condescending and hysterical. “Then you clearly don’t know Coby.”
I didn’t respond as I quickly checked her for more weapons before releasing her. Abel had already moved closer after Hunter’s misguided attack, and I knew I’d have to listen to him bitch about the close call later.
“Explain,” I ordered once she was facing me.
If looks could kill…
Her pretty ass wanted to finish me off so bad. I don’t think she ever wanted anything more.
Hunter was smart enough to know she’d reach the end of my forgiving nature.
I mean…it’s not like I needed a second wife.
Hunter sighed and said, “She’s my best friend.”
I guess that was all the explanation she felt compelled to give.
“You can buy new friends.”
Hunter shook her head. “Not like her.”
I just stared at her. I might have given Hunter too much credit. She was more naive than I thought.
“I disagree,” I told her. “Anyone can be bought when you have the world to offer.”
“Speak for yourself, asshole. I’m priceless.”
I smiled widely. “I’m starting to understand that.” I began circling her and laughed to myself when she turned with me, keeping me within her sight always. “But money isn’t the only currency, so tell me your price.”
Hunter blinked. “What?”
“Tell me how much it will take to make you go away and forget Coby Perry ever existed.”
There was nothing but silence between us for several moments.
“All right,” she said eventually and then folded her arms. “Eat a dick.”
Stopping in front of her again, I turned my head to the side and cupped my ear. “Run that back?”
Hunter batted her false lashes innocently. “Eat a dick,” she repeated, “and I’ll let you have my friend.”
I said nothing as I let my gaze roam her face and those arresting eyes one last time.
So tempting.
And an utter waste.
“Have it your way, Vengeance.” I held her gaze as I backed away and lifted my hand.
My men immediately took aim.
She’d never even noticed them closing in and forming a kill circle while we spoke. As one, they tightened their ranks until Hunter had nowhere to run. Their grim faces would be the last thing Hunter Parrish would ever see.
Suddenly, I felt a wave of anxiety as I forced myself to walk away from her. Come on, I silently begged her. You’re smarter than that.